O’ Christmas Tree

Christmas is coming a little slowly this year … mostly because I started a new job and even though it is only part time, it has thrown quite a wrench in my schedule.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love the music, the lights, receiving Christmas cards, finding the perfect gifts and making some as well. The one thing I hate is being stressed or feeling like I have to do something. Those feelings are coming on strong, so I am starting to scale back a bit … letting some things go so I can continue to enjoy the season. One thing I have given up on is the tree. I decided since it is still in the box and I have way too many other things to enjoy, I will just leave it there.

I did hang some of my favorite ornaments — the ones with a bit of red in them — on the tree my husband made me from barn wood. This tree lives in my house all year long. I change out the decorations for the season and also include photos and cards from others. And, although I was so busy, I completely missed fall, I did manage to put some special touches on it for Christmas.

I started with picking up a wooden star at Michael’s. I painted it with Distress Paint and hung it above the tree. Then, I added some store-bought garland and my the first card I received this year — from my friend Marilyn.

I think it turned out pretty good … what do you think?

Be Amazing with Etchall

This project has been working in my mind for some time … it started life as a medicine cabinet someone removed from a house and sold at an antique show. I wanted to put a positive saying on it so that whenever you look in the mirror, you will get a bit of a pat on the back.

I cleaned it up and started its transformation.

I used my Cricut to cut out the words “Be Amazing” on etchall etchmask stencil combo pack. Once I cut out the yellow vinyl, I placed the white transfer paper on top and then pulled it off the mat.

I then positioned it on the mirror and carefully removed the transfer paper. Then I used a craft pick to remove the letters, followed by a brayer to make sure everything was stuck down tightly.

etchall etching creme is extremely simple to use … about the only way you can mess it up is if you drip onto a surface you did not want etched. I always think I’ll be careful and then I drop a tool or something and mess it up, so I was careful to tape off and mask any glass areas I did not want etched.

Then, I placed the etchall in a thick, even coat across my vinyl and set the timer for 15 minutes. NOTE: Those air bubbles would not be a good thing if they were by my design. Normally, I would have taken the spatula and worked them out. But since they were on a part of the mirror I was not etching, I didn’t worry about them.

When the timer went off, I used the spatula to scrape all of the etchall into my plastic container and then poured it back into the bottle. It is reusable, so you don’t need to worry about ever getting too much!

Then, I took a wet paper towel to remove any residue and ripped off all of the vinyl and tape.

One more pass with a wet paper towel and it is amazing!

I then taped off the mirror again and painted the frame with three colors of Distress Paint. When dry, I covered it with a coat of white chalk paint and then sprayed it with rubbing alcohol while still wet. I let it sit for a few minutes and then used a baby wipe to remove the color. In some places, it went down to the original white finish. In other places, the Distress Paint shows through. And some places are just pretty white.

I had planned to do more, but it looked so perfect the way it was, I decided to leave it. I had intended this project to go in a craft show, but I love it so much, it might stay in my house. After all, we all could use a bit of encouragement now and then!

Are you ready to try your hand at making a custom mirror with etchall? Visit etchall.com to purchase yours, today … use the code CANDYS and you will get 10% off your entire order! Click here and get creating today!

This post is sponsored by etchall.